Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date History

Apr 17,25

Nintendo stands as a titan in the world of video games, renowned for its trailblazing creativity and innovation in the home console arena. With a treasure trove of iconic IPs that continue to enchant players decades later, Nintendo shows no signs of slowing down. As they officially unveil the Nintendo Switch 2, it's the perfect moment to reflect on their illustrious history in the console market.

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every console Nintendo has ever released, allowing you to journey through their evolution and witness how they've consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming.

Which Nintendo console had the best games? ------------------------------------------
AnswerSee Results*Looking to save on a new Nintendo Switch or new titles for your system? Be sure to check out the best Nintendo deals available today.*

How Many Nintendo Consoles Have There Been?

In total, 32 Nintendo consoles have been released throughout Nintendo's history. The Switch 2 will mark the 33rd. This count includes both home and handheld revision models, featuring variations like XL and Mini.

Latest Model### Nintendo Switch OLED (Neon Blue & Red)

4See it at AmazonEvery Nintendo Console in Order of Release

Color TV-Game - June 1, 1977

Nintendo's initial venture into gaming hardware was the Color TV-Game series, a collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics. These pioneering systems were a major hit and set the stage for Nintendo's future in the gaming industry. Even after nearly 50 years, the legacy of the Color TV-Game continues to influence Nintendo's commitment to innovation.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Nintendo's first handhelds, the Game & Watch devices, each came with unique games and sold over 40 million units globally. They introduced innovations like the D-Pad, seen in the Donkey Kong model, and were revived in limited editions in 2020 and 2021 to celebrate Mario and Zelda anniversaries.

Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985

Known as the Famicom in Japan, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revolutionized home gaming with its cartridge system. It birthed many of Nintendo's legendary franchises, including Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, cementing its place as a cornerstone in gaming history.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

Launched in North America in the summer of 1989, the Game Boy became a household name with its cartridge-based system. It was bundled with Tetris in most regions, except Japan, and took handheld gaming to new heights.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

Introducing 16-bit graphics, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) elevated gaming with titles like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite a later market entry, its stellar lineup made it the best-selling console of its era.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

Nintendo's foray into 3D gaming with the Virtual Boy was short-lived but memorable. With only 22 games and a brief market presence, it's remembered for its unique attempt at 3D visuals.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

A sleeker version of the Game Boy, the Pocket model featured a clearer black-and-white screen and faster response times, though it had a shorter battery life.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

With the introduction of 3D graphics, the Nintendo 64 brought iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller with an analog stick set a new standard in gaming.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light added a backlight for low-light play and boasted a longer battery life compared to the Game Boy Pocket.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

Bringing color to handheld gaming, the Game Boy Color was backward-compatible and supported new and old games alike, enhancing classics like Tetris with vibrant colors.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

A significant upgrade, the Game Boy Advance introduced 16-bit graphics in a new horizontal design and supported thousands of games through backward compatibility.

Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001

Image Credit: GamesRadar
Designed specifically for Pokémon enthusiasts, the tiny Pokémon mini was a novel handheld with a limited game library but unique features like a clock and infrared communication.

Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001

Following the success of the N64, the GameCube offered sequels to beloved franchises and introduced discs instead of cartridges. Its legacy continues with popular series like Animal Crossing.

Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001

A collaboration with Panasonic, the Q combined a GameCube with a DVD player, but its high cost led to limited market success.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

Featuring a flip design, rechargeable battery, and backlit screen, the Game Boy Advance SP was a significant upgrade over its predecessor, though it lacked a headphone jack.

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

Launching the best-selling DS line, the Nintendo DS introduced Wi-Fi and a dual-screen setup, including a touchscreen, revolutionizing handheld gaming.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

Introduced at E3 2005, the tiny Game Boy Micro was backward-compatible and featured adjustable screen brightness, selling over 2 million units in its short production run.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

A slimmer and lighter version of the DS, the DS Lite had brighter screens and improved battery life, enhancing the gaming experience.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

Reviving Nintendo's home console market, the Wii's motion controls via the Wii Remote brought a new dimension to gaming. It was backward-compatible with GameCube and introduced the Virtual Console for classic game downloads.

Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008

Adding cameras and an SD card slot, the DSi was an evolution of the DS but removed the Game Boy Advance slot.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

Larger screens and improved sound made the DSi XL a more immersive experience for DS games.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

With stereoscopic 3D capabilities, the 3DS brought new dimensions to handheld gaming, featuring titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Mario 3D Land.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

Offering a 90% larger screen, the 3DS XL made gaming more enjoyable with enhanced visuals.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

Following the Wii, the Wii U introduced the GamePad with a built-in screen and HD support. Despite a strong lineup, marketing challenges affected its sales.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

A streamlined version of the Wii, the Mini removed several features like GameCube support and Wi-Fi, focusing on a smaller, lighter design.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

Offering 2D gameplay at a lower price, the 2DS was a cost-effective alternative to the 3DS, though with reduced sound quality.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

Enhancing the 3DS with new controls like the C-Stick and ZR/ZL buttons, the New 3DS also introduced NFC support for amiibo.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

With larger screens and more features, the New 3DS XL improved upon the original but removed customizable face plates.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

Combining home and portable gaming, the Switch brought unparalleled versatility and a stellar lineup of first-party titles, propelling Nintendo to the forefront of the industry.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

An upgrade to the 2DS, the XL model included an analog stick, shoulder buttons, and amiibo support, returning to the clamshell design.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

A more affordable, handheld-only version of the Switch, the Lite model features built-in controllers and a smaller screen.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

Introduced with Metroid Dread, the OLED model features a larger, high-quality screen, enhanced speakers, and a new dock design.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles

PlayAfter a long period of speculation, Nintendo has officially announced the Switch 2. The reveal trailer showcases innovative Joy-Con attachments, a larger screen, and additional USB-C ports. There's also a new feature allowing Joy-Cons to function as a mouse, which could open up exciting gameplay possibilities. The trailer hints at a new Mario Kart with 24-player support and confirms that the Switch 2 will be largely backward compatible, supporting both physical and digital games.

Analysts suggest the Switch 2 might be priced around $400. We've gathered all the known details from the trailer, but more information, including a release date, is expected during the Nintendo Direct on April 2.

Which games do you want to see on the Nintendo Switch 2? --------------------------------------------------------

AnswerSee Results

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